2 more may run for president in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now screening the motions for reconsideration filed by disqualified candidates and the petitions of two more presidential aspirants in the 2010 elections might be approved.

Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said the number of senatorial bets might also increase, while the list of candidates for vice president would remain at eight.

“Maybe for president, there would be two more,” Ferrer said, but refused to identify the two presidential bets.

A total of 99 certificates of candidacy (COC) for president had been filed with the Comelec but only eight were approved.

The Comelec also only approved eight out of the 20 vice presidential aspirants, while 150 senatorial bets were approved.

Of all the disqualified candidates for president, the most popular include environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, lawyers Elly Pamatong and Oliver Lozano and former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who all listed themselves as independent candidates.

“Perlas claims that he is now supported by several parties. He has to show that to us and maybe we’ll be convinced that he has the capacity to wage a nationwide campaign,” he added.

Jimenez has been claiming that he has enough funds to launch a nationwide campaign but he has to prove that he has people in the field.

“When they filed their COC, they were independent. But eventually some of those who have been disqualified were adopted by political parties,” Ferrer said.

The Comelec has been rushing the review of the motions for reconsideration filed by those disqualified as it is set to start printing ballots by January 2010.

The Comelec had earlier approved the presidential candidacies of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, Olongapo City Councilor Juan Carlos de los Reyes, former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan party, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

The vice presidential bets approved by the poll body include Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Ang Kapatiran bet Dominador Chipeco Jr., former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando, Sen. Loren Legarda, actor Edu Manzano, Sen. Manuel Roxas, broadcaster Jay Sonza, and former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr.